These pictures may be viewed or D/Led but may NOT used for display on another Web
page. The use of these pictures for another Web page would be in violations of copyright
laws, unless you have my written permission !

Many of the above pictures came courtesy of Adam Sacks
who has plans of displaying his collection at:
121 South Saint Asaph Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Thanks Adam!!

My other sources are the Web auction house called eBay located at:
eBay and various other gracious people through
out the horology world.
In 1928 a Neuchatel engineer called Jean-Leon Reutter built a
clock driven quite literally by air. But it took the Jaeger-LeCoultre
workshop a few more years to convert this idea into a technical form
that could be patented. And to perfect it to such a degree that the
Atmos practically achieved perpetual motion. In 1936 the Manufacture
began production of the Atmos.
The technical principle is a beguiling one: inside a hermetically
sealed capsule is a mixture of gas and liquid (ethyl chloride) which
expands as the temperature rises and contracts as it falls, making the
capsule move like a concertina. This motion constantly winds the
mainspring, a variation in temperature of only one degree in the range
between 15 and 30 degrees centigrade being sufficient for two days'
operation.
To convert this small amount of energy into motion, everything
inside the Atmos naturally has to work as smoothly and quietly as possible.
The balance, for example, executes only two torsional oscillations per
minute, which is 150 times slower that the pendulum in a conventional
clock. So it's not surprising that 60 million Atmos clocks together
consume no more energy that one 15-watt light bulb.
All its other parts, too, are not only of the highest precision,
but also practically wear-free. An Atmos can therefore expect to enjoy
a service life of a good 600 years, although with today's air pollution we
regrettably have to recommend a through cleaning every 20 years or so.
Admirers of advanced technology, however, aren't the only
ones who get their money's worth. Connoisseurs of elegant forms,
precious materials and traditional craftsmanship, do so as well.
Because every Atmos is still made entirely by hand; and with some
models a single clock takes a whole month to produce. Not counting
the five weeks of trial and adjustment that every Atmos has to undergo.
Only then, are the Jaeger-LeCoultre master-watchmakers happy enough
with the state of things to confirm it with a signature and allow another
Atmos to leave the workshop. After which, many end up in the very
best homes, because for decades now the world's most celebrated
watch-making country has been presenting its distinguished guests
with this masterpiece of Swiss artistry.
The Atmos has had the honour to be associated with great
statesmen, royalty, and other renowned people including
John F. Kennedy, Sir Winston Churchill, General Charles De Gaulle,
and Charlie Chaplin.